Two days after Wolff's group was approved by Major League Baseball and one day after escrow closed on the $180 million purchase, Wolff showed he's a generous owner, handing out shares to his new general manager and club president.

Beane gets a tad less than 5 percent, and Crowley gets a tad less than that. Neither had to write a check to join ownership. Neither will be asked to contribute to a cash call, meaning they wouldn't be liable if the A's sustained financial losses.

"For a while," said Wolff, smiling.

Both will share in the profits.

Wolff said the decision to make the two executives limited partners and extend their contracts -- Beane through 2012, Crowley through 2008 -- was a sign that he's serious about keeping the A's in Oakland.

It also empowers Beane (on the baseball side) and Crowley (on the business side) to run the team while Wolff continues his pursuit of a new ballpark. He was hired to the front office in November 2003 to find a venue site, and he recommended a spot in the Coliseum parking lot, though he said Friday other Oakland locations would be explored starting next week.

"I think the fans should relax a little bit," said Wolff, knowing A's followers tend to be skeptical about their team's future in Oakland.

The Coliseum lease runs through 2007. Wolff said he'll "take up the bulk of the next 12 months" to try to secure a ballpark deal.

"We may think outside the box a little bit," Wolff said. "So just because this is the way they do it in San Francisco or Cleveland or Boston, it may not fill out our template."

A big concern for A's fans is whether their team will continue to compete under the new owners -- the A's reached the playoffs four of the final five years of the Steve Schott-Ken Hofmann era. Wolff hinted the payroll won't significantly increase even though the majority investor is John Fisher, the billionaire heir of the Gap who was a no-show on Friday.

This year's payroll will be just above $60 million, and tentative payrolls through 2007 already have been projected.

"We're going to adhere to that budget," Wolff said. "We're not saying to Billy, 'Triple the budget.' ... We didn't make this transaction to upset the goals of the commissioner, who wants teams run in an economically viable way. Billy will tell me what they need, and I think we'll provide everything they need. I'm very convinced of that."

Beane dressed the part Friday. Usually a casual dresser, he wore a black suit, white shirt and pink tie.

"I'll be in shorts tomorrow," he cracked.

In a more serious moment, Beane couldn't promise that star players won't continue their exodus because of the team's financial constraints.

"We're still going to operate with some discipline," Beane said. "That being said, each decision will be independent of itself. The challenges we face until we come up with a new revenue stream are still there. It's well- documented a new venue is critical for us to try to retain some of these players."

Beane had leverage because of an out clause in his contract, allowing him to leave if Schott and Hofmann sold the team. There was concern over whether MLB would approve Beane, thus setting a precedent for GMs to get a slice of the pie.

The clubhouse reaction to Beane's increased stake was all positive.

"This makes me really happy," said third baseman Eric Chavez, a rare example of a key player signing a long-term deal with the A's, six years and $66 million. "I know Billy's as big a part of this team as anyone, so it's comforting. He's the right guy for us."

Outfielder Eric Byrnes, who seemed close to being traded by Beane in the offseason, said, "It's great for the Oakland A's. Obviously, Billy and Mike Crowley have built a model of success over the years that's unprecedented. Billy amazes me -- every year I've come to camp and we've lost some guys, and here are these other guys to take their places who have the potential to be just as good."

Schott will remain a minority owner, and Wolff's son, Keith, has a small interest.